Abstract
A review is presented of methods for enhancing the matrix-dominated thermomechanical properties of carbon/epoxy composites by incorporating carbon nanoparticles in the matrix. The materials used were DGEBA epoxy as the basic resin, carbon nanoplatelets, and multi-wall carbon nanotubes. With the latter, a block copolymer dispersant was used to optimize dispersion of the nanotubes. Preforms used were unidirectional carbon fibers (AS4) and five-harness satin weave carbon fabric (AGP370-5H, Hexcel Corp.). Matrix-dominated thermomechanical properties measured were glass transition temperature, compressive modulus and strength, interlaminar shear strength, and in-plane shear properties. Several batches of composite materials were processed and evaluated. They included reference carbon/epoxy composites without nanoparticles, unidirectional carbon/epoxy with carbon nanoplatelets, and carbon fabric/epoxy composites with carbon nanotube loadings of 0.5 and 1 wt%, with and without a copolymer dispersant. Special processing methods were developed, employing solvent-based high shear mixing and sonication. Significant increases in matrix dominated properties were measured. Micromechanical models were proposed to explain the measured enhancements.
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Acknowledgements
The work described in this paper was sponsored in part by the NASA University Research, Engineering and Technology Institute and in part by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). We are grateful to Dr. Y.D.S. Rajapakse of ONR for his encouragement and cooperation.
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Daniel, I.M., Cho, JM. (2009). Multiscale Hybrid Nano/Microcomposites–Processing, Characterization, and Analysis. In: Gilat, R., Banks-Sills, L. (eds) Advances in Mathematical Modeling and Experimental Methods for Materials and Structures. Solid Mechanics and Its Applications, vol 168. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3467-0_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3467-0_12
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